Pricing handmade jewelry is one of the most common frustrations I encounter when working with jewelers. It is common for a customer respond that a price is simply too high when starting negotiations on a piece. The customer might not mean it, but it is an easy and convenient res[...]

Making jewelry is a craft of details. You wouldn’t be a jeweler if you didn’t take some pleasure in precision. Every angle must be right. Every joint clean. Every measurement exact. After all, it’s the details that take a piece from good to great. From [...]

This blog was written before the untimely death of Cindy Edelstein. For almost three decades, Cindy was not only a close friend and confidante but also a peer. We often discussed the jewelry world and the designers in it. Cindy came into jewelry about the same time I did, [...]

This new Rio Jeweler blog series explores some of the stories from the #RioJeweler community. #RioJeweler is a way for jewelers to share moments from the bench on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Designers from around the world use the hashtag to chronicle their stories, their w[...]

If you’re running a small jewelry business, sooner or later, you’ll realize that you need to have a set of company policies established for your clients and yourself. Usually this realization comes when a problem arises and you have no idea how to handle it or what i[...]

“Jewelry is permanent, and it’s so universal. How often in our lifetime do we have the chance to make something special that lasts forever?” ~ Alan Revere, Goldsmith Extracted from all parts of the planet and celebrated by humans since time immemorial, gold is the m[...]

A company profile is an important part of any business plan. It is a comprehensive yet brief description of your company, and since it is a part of your business plan, it should be updated regularly. It should be an informative document that highlights what the business s[...]

If you search “file” at riogrande.com, you’ll get more than 150 product results, and each of those files has a specific function at a jeweler’s bench. When you’re relatively new to jewelry making, deciphering when to use a riffler file over a need[...]

Ana Cavalheiro pondered exposing the space behind the jeweler for years. Something about the creative area where a person’s inspiration comes to life compelled her—it stuck in her mind. But, as a busy jeweler herself, she couldn’t find the time to get the concept down on pa[...]

The members of our Jewelry Tech Team are our in-house jewelry making experts. Combined, they’ve been working in the jewelry industry for more than 100 years, and they’ve accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and know-how that they love to share. Here, we’ve co[...]

Sam Alfano is a gifted gun, knife and fine jewelry engraver. He’s also an inspired teacher and a savvy businessman. On top of all that, he produces a series of instructional videos, hosts the engraving forum EngraversCafe.com, which has over 10,000 members worldwide, and runs a[...]

Madison Hampton is a twenty-something metalsmith who follows her passion for jewelry-making in an intriguing manner. She, her boyfriend Gage, and their dog Tobin live in a Chevy Express van, traveling the country and literally chasing after whatever they find most i[...]

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Rio Grande’s Blog

Welcome to Rio Grande's Blog, a meeting place for those who, like all of us at Rio Grande, share a passion for making jewelry.

This little corner of the web is your opportunity to meet and visit with our experts and the experts who are our friends and partners. Come by often and see what’s new. Offer your take on the latest and greatest in your shop or studio.

Whether you’re just starting out or are always on the prowl for a new idea or inspiration, we look forward to getting to know you!